NEW HOPE, Alabama -- Madison County deputies and Huntsville police are searching for an "armed and dangerous" escaped Georgia inmate on the loose in New Hope.

The sheriff's department reported at 7:49 a.m. that Chad Everette Dasher, described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 145 pounds, brown hair and green eyes, may now be in a black 2002 Toyota Sequoia with Madison County plates, 47C45W5. Police caution citizens not to approach Dasher if they see him, but to call 911.

Chad Dasher (U.S. Marshals Service)

Deputies pulled a SUV over for a routine traffic stop near Main Drive and U.S. 431 close to 1 a.m. Wednesday. The car took off and led deputies on a short chase before getting stuck in the mud. The driver, who authorities identified as Dasher, fled on foot and has not been found yet.

The sheriff's department has also been searching in the area of Oak Ridge Apartments off Merritt Drive and on Main Drive near U.S. 431. Police stopped searching the apartments before 7 a.m.

Police say escaped Ga. inmate Chad Dasher may be in the area of Oak Ridge Apartments off Merritt Drive in New Hope. (Tiffany Donaldson/tdonaldson@al.coom)

Deputies confirm Dasher is an escapee from Georgia and is considered armed and dangerous. He may be covered in mud.

Huntsville police brought K-9 units to assist in the search.

The manhunt is near New Hope school. New Hope police say the local schools will open on time. Deputies and police will be canvassing the area to ensure safety.

AL.com's news partner, WHNT News 19, reports authorities believe the car may have been stolen from Texas or Arkansas. They found a police scanner inside.

Authorities pulled this SUV from the mud in New Hope after they say escaped Georgia inmate Chad Dasher ditched it after being chased by police. (Tiffany Donaldson/tdonaldson@al.com)

U.S. Marshals say Dasher was being held in the Tattnell County Jail on multiple charges from a 2012 crime spree in Georgia. He has an extensive criminal background with charges relating to burglary, firearms, fraud, narcotics, resisting arresting and traffic offenses. He has a history of fleeing from law enforcement.

Dasher escaped with another inmate, Raymond Thomas Smith, on Jan. 24. They breached security and escaped through the jail's roof.